Welcome and opening Scripture (5 minutes)
Tonight we gather as a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, being built together for a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (Ephessians 2:22). We do not come in our own name. We come through Christ, our great High Priest, who has opened the way. We come to intercede for our city, our church, our members, and our missionaries.
1 Timothy 2:1-2, First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
Opening prayer: We thank you, Father, for the privilege of prayer. We thank you for the blood of Christ that grants us access to your throne. We ask for your Spirit to guide our time. Give us your heart for your church. Give us your eyes for our city. We ask for your will to be done in us and through us. For your glory alone.
Our shared priesthood and mission (10 minutes)
We have been reminded that we are a kingdom of priests (Revelation 1:6). This is not a title for a few but a calling for all. We pray this truth would shape our life together.
- A praying and serving priesthood: Lord, we ask that every member at Benoni Baptist Church would embrace their priestly calling, interceding for one another, serving with the gifts you have given, and representing you in their homes, workplaces, and suburbs. May our church be a house of prayer for all nations. We pray against passivity. Ignite a holy, active faith in every heart.
- Community groups (Atlasville and Farrarmere): Thank you for the launch of our new community groups. We pray for the Atlasville group meeting in G’s home and the upcoming Farrarmere group at A and D’s. Use these gatherings to knit our growing church family together in authentic fellowship. May they be places of prayer, gospel application, and deep spiritual growth.
- Church planting vision: We continue to set our sights on planting a faithful church in Benoni. Thank you that we have reached 73% of our membership target and 71% of our financial target. We are reminded we are 0% of the way toward finding the shepherd and venue you have appointed. Lord, we plead with you to provide a competent, godly shepherd who shares our DNA, and to open a door for a suitable venue. Give our leaders wisdom and our members unity as we prepare for the Quarterly General Meeting.
- Elder development: We ask for the raising up of men of godly character. Men above reproach, self-controlled, able to teach, and who will shepherd your flock with diligence. Prepare the hearts of those you are calling to this sacred task.
Prayer for members in need (10 minutes)
Our confidence is that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Not accident, not illness, not confusion. So we bring these specific needs before his throne.
- Healing and recovery:
- S following her accident.
- G, D, and A after their accident.
- H in High Care after her accident. We ask for stabilizing and healing. As well as P’s severe back pain.
- Thank you for G’s discharge. Continue to grant full recovery.
- F is recovering well after multiple strokes. Grant him strength and patience.
- N and L, recovering after surgeries. Grant them smooth and complete healing.
- R for continued wound healing.
- M as he recovers.
- L as she deals with cancer. Grant her wisdom for decisions and peace in the storm.
- We pray for D’s cancer journey and B’s ongoing recovery. Be their refuge and strength.
- For D’s liver condition.
- K and T who are pregnant. For protection over their pregnancies and relief from complications.
- M and D in their frailty. Be their peace and their portion.
- P in her frailty.
- For recovery and clarity amidst confusion for M and C.
- E as doctors investigate possible epilepsy.
- C as she struggles with cancer.
- Other Needs:
- A, M, and L for open doors and suitable employment.
Prayer for our missionaries (10 minutes)
We stand with our partners in the gospel, knowing that the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.
- B and J: We mourn with J and her family over the passing of her brother-in-law, G. We ask that you, the God of all comfort, would wrap your arms around his grieving children. Use J as balm and light in their bitter grief, and open a door for the hope of the gospel to enter that family. We ask for safe travel for J back to the UK and then on to Bangkok. Sustain B as he leads a workshop for 40 consultants in Nairobi without J’s logistical help. Grant him extra grace and stamina.
- H and L: We praise you for H’s continued healing and improved energy. We pray for their upcoming ministry appointment, with the Presbyterians, Brethren, Tandem leaders, the Evangelism conference at Laidlaw Bible College, the Student Life conference, and Wellington South Baptist church. May their teaching on discipleship fall on good soil and produce a hundredfold harvest. We also celebrate with them the 10th anniversary of church@126. We lift up their daughter, C, and ask that her treatment for Graves’ disease would be effective, restoring her weight and heart rate to normal.
Open prayer time (8 minutes)
Hebrews 4:16, “Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.”
Is there a specific burden, a word of thanks, or a personal need the Lord has laid on your heart? This is our time to bring it before the Lord together.
Closing (2 minutes)
Thank you, Father, that you hear us. Thank you that you are building your church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Send us out from here as your priesthood, ready to serve, ready to suffer, ready to speak the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvellous light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.